Summary

  • Charles Leclerc leads Saudi Arabian GP but is yet to stop

  • Norris up to second after starting 10th but also yet to pit

  • Piastri third and Verstappen fourth after pitting

  • Dutchman given five-second penalty for cutting chicane at first corner

  • OUT: Tsunoda, Gasly

  • Select audio icon to listen to radio commentary (UK only)

  • Get involved: #bbcf1

Live Reporting

Lorraine McKenna

  1. Lap 25/50

    Gabriel Bortoleto in 17th and Fernando Alonso in 16th almost tag each other as the Brazilian tries to avoid the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson. "Wow! He moved under braking," says Spaniard Alonso. "That was close!"

  2. Team radio - Russell to Mercedes

    "Consider Plan B. Let's see how these tyres go."

  3. Lap 24/50

    Charles Leclerc is leading this Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but the other Ferrari is yet to stop to change his 24-lap old medium tyres. Lando Norris is now second but his hard compound is holding steady. Oscar Piastri adds another fastest lap to his name and is just waiting for his chance to take the lead.

    Charles LeclercGetty Images

  4. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I'm very surprised that neither Ferrari driver has come in [to the pits].

  5. Lap 23/50

    Mercedes have received a call from George Russell to say try Plan B following his stop for the hard rubber. It's 2021 again as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are grappling on track - Red Bull versus Ferrari this time. Verstappen overtakes the seven-time world champion but Hamilton peels off and enters the pits anyway.

  6. Get Involved

    #BBCF1

    Tim Hales: A 5 second penalty for MV is pointless when he’s out front in clear air. Give that same penalty to someone in the midfield and it’s much more impactful. MV should’ve been ordered to give the place back and run in dirty air

  7. Verstappen serves penalty

    Lap 22/50

    The five-second time penalty has been served by Max Verstappen during that pit stop and he's rejoins the action in fifth place. Charles Leclerc goes to the front of the field but has yet to pit; Lando Norris also hasn't pitted, but the McLaren man started on the hards.

  8. Harry Benjamin
    BBC F1 Commentator

    Lewis Hamilton did not make that easy for Oscar Piastri in the McLaren.

  9. Lap 21/50

    George Russell is coming in to the pits from second place, moving Charles Leclerc up to his P2 spot. Oscar Piastri has slotted in to fifth place after his changeover, while Lando Norris has climbed to third on his hard tyres.

    Piastri overtakes Lewis Hamilton for third place, because Max Verstappen has come in to pit...

    Mercedes PitlaneGetty Images

  10. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    If this is legitimate Max Verstappen pace it would be concerning for Oscar Piastri at this point.

  11. Piastri pits

    Lap 20/50

    That wasn't the quickest stop for Oscar Piastri. The Aussie is heading back out into the action - but Max Verstappen has stayed out, his engineer telling him he's doing a grand job out in front so far.

  12. Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    This might be a cooling thing for Oscar Piastri, just sitting back a little to make sure that he doesn't overheat the tyres and engine.

    Just taking a little bit of speed out of the car and going back to between two to three seconds behind Max Verstappen.

  13. 'Norris has been able to carve his way up the field'

    Harry Benjamin
    BBC F1 Commentator

    This is playing into Lando Norris' hands nicely, he's been able to carve his way through the field fairly well in these opening stages on that hard tyre.

  14. Norris up to P5

    Lap 19/50

    Lando Norris gains another place with a smooth move on the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli. For his team-mate Oscar Piastri, the call comes in to "box, box."

  15. Lap 18/50

    Max Verstappen is 2.5 seconds clear of Oscar Piastri, both drivers on the medium tyres. George Russell is also a yellow runner, but the Mercedes man is radioing the pit wall to say his rubber is toast.

    Max VerstappenGetty Images

  16. 'Hamilton's rear tyres look cooked'

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Lewis Hamilton looks like he's got no speed at the moment.

    Those rear tyres on his Ferrari look absolutely cooked in terms of surface temperature as he struggles for grip in the high-speed sections.

  17. Lap 17/50

    Isack Hadjar is also a hard compound runner and the Racing Bulls rookie has climbed the field and is now in 10th place. The two Williams of Carlos Sainz in ninth and Alex Albon in eighth are also sitting pretty in the top 10.

  18. Team radio - Hamilton to Ferrari

    "I'm just sliding around here mate, I can't turn the rears."

  19. 'Hopefully Norris will learn from that as he progresses'

    Sam Bird
    Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That's the way to do it around here, wait until you get the opportunity into Turn One.

    Hopefully Lando Norris will learn from that as he progresses up the order.

  20. Lap 16/50

    Max Verstappen is 1.9s clear of Oscar Piastri but is in possession of that five-second time penalty. Aussie Piastri is banking consistent fastest laps in the McLaren as the pair continue on their medium opening stint.

    Max VerstappenGetty Images